Edmonton Marathon course error costs 13 runners Boston qualification
An Aug. 16 course measurement mistake in Edmonton has left more than a tenth of qualifying runners unable to use their times for entry into the Boston Marathon.
Why it matters
The measurement error has real consequences for local runners who trained to qualify for one of the world's most prestigious marathons.
A racecourse error at the Edmonton Marathon has cost 13 runners their shot at competing in the Boston Marathon. Organizers say the Aug. 16 course was roughly two-thirds of a kilometre longer than it should have been.
Boston Marathon organizers had initially indicated that runners could still qualify despite the extra distance, as long as their finishing times met the required qualifying standard. However, Boston later said it would not accept times that had been adjusted to account for the longer course, resulting in the rejection of 13 runners' qualifying attempts.
Edmonton organizers confirmed that Boston will accept the times of 92 other competitors from the race. They said they are now working with Athletics Canada to review how the course measurement error occurred.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.